THE HANOVERIAN

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Breeding Every breeder has a dream To breed a Grand Prix-horse at least once is the dream of many breeders. The successful rider and trainer Jonny Hilberath explains what is important. Aufgezeichnet von Britta Züngel Jonny Hilberath, “We need athleticism in the sport!” Photos: Schwöbel Jonny Hilberath answered all questions on “Predisposition criteria for Grand Prix horses” during the private-stallion presentation. A subject that will always be highly popular. “After all each and everyone of us has the dream to breed a Grand Prix-horse,” so Jonny Hilberath. It is a long way from level A to level S! What is the difference between the S-level dressage horse and the international Grand Prix-horse? Jonny Hilberath, “Two criteria are crucial: The physical prerequisites, the strength and a stabile connection of the back and the hind quarters as well as the spirit and the ability to learn. The Grand Prix demands great carrying power. The pirouettes are the decisive criteria. Horse breeding has progressed tremendously over the past years; especially in respect to the basic gaits. There are many talented horses that successfully compete at the S-level; however if carrying power is required, the number starts shrinking.” Is there special criteria that the Grand Prixsport demands of the horse’s exterior? Jonny Hilberath, “There is no template for physical prerequisites. A back that can carry is important. It is vital for collection. In my experience there is no ‘one ideal hind-leg angle’. It must be constructed in such a way that it allows the horse to quickly develop powerful movement out of its joints. This also depends on the stability and the size. Both are important criteria for the serviceability. Often horses that were rather tightly constructed as young horses have a very good connection in the body and, later on, are able to develop power much better. We need this athleticism in the sport. Horses with good and strong backs are in demand. These horses may not move as spectacularly while they are young. Spirit and a good silhouette are important. Most important is that the breeder believes in his horse! It is often said that jumper blood creates athleticism when breeding dressage horses. One of my most successful dressage horses was a pure jumper: Fariano by Wanderbusch/Wienerwald. Jumper genes often produce a quick hind leg. Basically I find the use of Thoroughbreds super. It has already proven its value in breeding. Especially thoroughbreds pass on a certain toughness to their offspring which helps the serviceability. Originally they were bred for a completely different discipline; for racing. In racing the hind leg does not have to powerfully move off the ground but it must reach as far underneath the body as possible as fast as possible. In generalone can say that it is not necessary to apply much strength when riding a horse that is strongly influenced by Thoroughbred blood. Thoroughbreds are not constructed with an emphasis on carrying power – that is just not how they were bred.” Do we follow the right ideal in respect to interior and basic gaits? Jonny Hilberath, “I come from Holstein. When I started riding it was a challenge to ride a horse on to the bit. The breeding programs have done an incredible job in respect hereto. The sport demands high rideability. The trend is to apply the least amount of aids while riding. This kind of riding is the future! The actual use of the horse is of utmost importance when evaluating the basic gaits. Do not get sidetracked by the movement on the road to Grand Prix. The question is whether or not the horse can also make small steps and whether or not you can collect the horse. Attractive extravagant trot movement is no longer decisive in the Grand Prix. The carrying power is of importance, too. The walk is still important. The walk has a coefficient of 2 in the Grand Prix. You can destroy many points in a test with a weak walk. It is a fact that the walk score will not be changed in the future. You can no longer win without a good walk. The walk must be diligent. If there is vigor combined with tension, a horse can be collected. The quality of the horses in competitions today is so high that you can only win a ribbon, if the horse has three very good basic gaits.” Does the classical evaluation of horses in hand deliver the proper conclusions? Jonny Hilberath, “Horses at the age of two-and-ahalf cannot be evaluated any other way. Lunging the horses at the stallion licensing is the best thing 6 The Hanoverian 04|2013
Breeding that could have happened to the licensing sites; this also in respect to marketing the stallions as sport horses. It allows for very good conclusions about balance and carrying power. That is the most important day for me at stallion licensings. The presentation on the triangle allows to evaluate the back, the hind leg and the ability to push off. These elements must be taken into consideration, too. Modern sport horses have many good riding horse points. Important is that they are constructed uphill, that the neck is attached well, that they have a long foreleg and have a good saddle position. It is easier for horses, if nature provided these attributes. I look for quick and elastic movement on the triangle; that can be recognized without a saddle. The breeders in Hanover are on a good path overall.” How can the readiness and ability for collection be detected in a horse at an early stage? Jonny Hilberath, “There is no formula for the readiness. Such horses bounce off the ground; they have great impulsion and not always the biggest movement. The canter is the decisive criterion. The horses must exhibit good balance and basic selfcarriage in the canter that can be evaluated on a circle. The horse must maintain rhythm. Going forward and running away are two completely different things. A horse that runs away does not carry.” Can we breed a pre-disposition for Grand Prix? Jonny Hilberath, “It is amazing that horses with obvious conformation flaws are able to be successful at vet-checks on international competitions. Here the attitude is right. Without it a rider cannot be successful. It will not make breeders happy when I say that my most successful horses were always rather difficult to handle. Ambition and the willpower to work with the rider are decisive factors just as the willingness to go forward. That will lead to success! Dablino, my personal favorite, struggled tremendously with the atmosphere at the Olympic Games in London, for instance, but his mental strength was extremely good. His will power did it and he gave his best.” How important are competition successes when deciding which stallion to breed to? Jonny Hilberath, “Competition successes are not the decisive criteria but they are meaningful. I am not only talking about the winners. Competitions are a must. Successes always require performance willingness and certain toughness. Competing breeding stallions demands first-class management. Donnerhall is a great example. It is obvious that representatives of the D-blood exhibit strength, attitude and will power. Therefore these attributes are ‘breedable’. The mare holds an important share in the success, too. I am a great fan of old and well-bred dam lines. These exist in Hanover and must be cherished and maintained under all circumstances. After all success is not a matter of chance.” In which direction will the market of dressage horses develop and how can the breeder get prepared best? Jonny Hilberath, “The Grand Prix-rider is not the only dressage horses buyer. The preferred ‘product’ is a modern sport horse with power and impulsion. If a breeder has the possibility to take the longer route, a talented horse will grow into its value with training. Nothing happens fast in dressage sport. The process in dressage is slow; it takes perseverance, time and patience. The fear of contact between breeding and competition is a shortcoming. This could be improved. New concepts and training models are being developed. Communication however is always of importance. The breeders must understand that good training costs money. ‘You get what you pay for.’ Breeder should contact people that are closely connected to the sport. Germany can never have enough good horses!” • Lemony’s Nicket and Susan Pape demonstrated the training of a young dressage horse that was commentated by Jonny Hilberath at the show of privately owned stallions. The Hanoverian 04|2013 7
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Page 3 and 4: Sport On the fast Lane One of her m
Page 5: Sport ding the way is Corona by Con
Page 9 and 10: Breeding A good reputation as a bre
Page 11 and 12: Breeding ting of Gibert Böckmann a
Page 13 and 14: Sport Zucht Hanoverian Highlights 2
Page 15 and 16: Sport Verden’s foal auction in 20
Page 17 and 18: Sport In Neumünster, Martin Christ

THE HANOVERIAN

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